Chapter 18: Shadows in the Dark

The Road Ahead

The night was quiet, save for the distant sounds of the forest. A gentle breeze rustled the trees, carrying with it the scent of damp earth.

Evelyne sat near the fire, staring into the flickering flames. Sleep felt impossible, her mind racing with everything that had happened.

Across from her, Phileo was sharpening his sword, his movements methodical. Alsiel lay stretched out on the ground, arms folded behind his head, humming a tune under his breath.

Evelyne broke the silence. "Where do we go from here?"

Alsiel cracked one eye open. "I have a few places in mind."

Phileo didn't look up. "Where?"

Alsiel grinned. "Ah, finally interested in my brilliance, are we?"

Phileo gave him a blank stare.

Alsiel sighed dramatically and sat up. "Alright, alright. I have contacts in Valmere."

Evelyne frowned. "Valmere?"

Alsiel nodded. "A city built on trade and secrets. If you know where to look, you can find anything—or anyone."

Phileo considered this. "And you trust these contacts?"

Alsiel smirked. "Trust is a strong word. Let's just say they owe me."

Evelyne exhaled. "And what if the Black Veil has eyes there?"

Alsiel shrugged. "Then we'll have to be careful. But if we want information and allies, Valmere is the place to start."

Phileo didn't respond right away. Then, finally, he nodded. "We leave at dawn."

Evelyne's stomach twisted. She knew this wouldn't be easy. But standing still wasn't an option.

They had to move forward.

A Watchful Presence

The forest wasn't as empty as it seemed.

Beyond the trees, a shadow lingered, watching. Silent. Unmoving.

The figure observed the trio by the fire, their conversation too distant to hear—but actions spoke louder than words.

Phileo.

The name alone was enough to stir something between rage and intrigue.

The figure turned, melting into the darkness.

The hunt was far from over.

The night pressed in around them, the fire casting flickering shadows against the trees. Evelyne shifted on the rough blanket she sat on, wrapping her arms around her knees. The exhaustion from the past days clung to her bones, but sleep refused to come.

Across the fire, Phileo's sword glinted in the dim light as he sharpened it, his face unreadable. Alsiel, who had been unusually quiet, finally sat up, stretching his arms with a loud yawn.

"Well," Alsiel said, breaking the silence, "if we're going to Valmere, we should prepare for the worst."

Evelyne frowned. "Why? You said your contacts would help us."

Alsiel wagged a finger at her. "I said they owe me. That doesn't mean they won't try to kill me first."

Evelyne sighed, rubbing her temple. "You have a strange definition of 'helpful contacts.'"

Phileo remained silent, his gaze steady as he tested the sharpness of his blade.

Alsiel leaned back on his elbows. "The thing about Valmere is that it's built on favors. If you want something, you either pay in gold or secrets. And right now, we're short on gold."

Phileo finally spoke. "Then we stay unnoticed."

Alsiel grinned. "Ah, yes, because you're so good at staying unnoticed."

Phileo shot him a look, and Alsiel quickly held up his hands. "Alright, alright, point taken. But in all seriousness, Valmere has informants everywhere. If the Black Veil has people in the city, they'll know we're there the moment we step inside."

Evelyne chewed on the inside of her cheek. "So what do we do?"

Alsiel's smirk returned. "We disguise ourselves, of course."

Phileo blinked at him. "No."

"Yes," Alsiel countered.

"No," Phileo repeated, his tone final.

Evelyne couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips as Alsiel dramatically placed a hand over his chest. "Oh, come on, Phileo! Imagine it—you, in something that isn't dark and brooding. Maybe even a hat!"

Phileo gave him a flat stare.

"Alright, fine," Alsiel relented, sighing. "No hats. But we'll need to do something. If I had to guess, we have at most two days before the Black Veil starts catching up again."

Evelyne felt her stomach tighten at the thought. She still didn't fully understand why the Black Veil wanted Phileo dead, but she had seen enough to know they wouldn't stop until they had what they wanted.

"We'll figure it out," Phileo said, standing. "Get some rest. We leave at dawn."